Attenborough at 100: Chris Packham and more of TV’s best wildlife experts mark David Attenborough’s birthday

Next week, Sir David Attenborough turns 100, and people across the country will be celebrating this special milestone.

The broadcaster is being celebrated with special programs on the BBC, and has inspired numerous wildlife experts who have since become prominent documentary hosts.

To celebrate Sir David’s birthday, TopMob has collected heartfelt messages from many well-known people.

Chris Packham, naturalist and broadcaster

A century ago, a baby was born in Isleworth, West London. It seemed like an ordinary event – just another new life entering the world. But that baby, David Frederick Attenborough, has become one of the most important voices for protecting our planet and all the life it holds.

It’s easy to list people who’ve negatively impacted the world, and their actions are sadly remembered in history. But when it comes to those who’ve made a real, positive difference – not just for humans, but for all living creatures – only one person truly stands out. This individual’s love of life and ability to share that passion with others has captivated people of all ages around the globe.

Over the past century, humanity has seen incredible progress – we’ve ventured into space, discovered new galaxies, made breakthroughs in medicine like antibiotics and organ transplants, and created amazing art, television, and artificial intelligence. However, this growth has come at a significant cost. While our population has soared to 8 billion, the natural world has suffered greatly, with many species declining or disappearing altogether, and even our climate has been damaged. So, as we celebrate these achievements, it’s important to also acknowledge the sadness felt by those who have witnessed and tried to protect the Earth’s fragile beauty.

It’s hard to imagine where we’d be without Dave, someone who truly champions living life to the fullest. His energy and passion have even made a small difference – there’s a fly buzzing somewhere in the jungle thanks to him! Happy Birthday, Dave – the world is a better place with you in it!

Steve Backshall, wildlife presenter

For me, David Attenborough has always felt like that beloved uncle who could just tell stories. Not just any stories, but incredible ones about the natural world. He’s famous as a naturalist, of course, but what I admire most is his gift for storytelling – he truly knows how to captivate an audience. He can completely hold me spellbound!

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with David several times, and I’m always struck by his down-to-earth nature, genuine excitement, and sense of wonder. He maintains a childlike fascination with the natural world, which is what truly distinguishes him – even when compared to famous naturalists like Wallace, Humboldt, and Darwin, or even today’s most passionate nature enthusiasts.

His calm voice and storytelling style create a relaxed atmosphere, and he always takes the time to carefully craft his words and share memorable experiences. We are fortunate to have his expertise in this field.

Martin Dohrn, wildlife filmmaker

It might seem like David Attenborough is just lucky, but often what looks like luck is actually the result of a lot of hard work. I recall being in Costa Rica filming for the BBC series, Life in the Undergrowth, which focused on invertebrates. We arrived to find constant rain, and it didn’t let up. David was scheduled to arrive soon, and we needed to get a shot ready for him – a close-up of a specific tree with a small pool of water in its trunk, where a stunning giant damselfly had laid eggs the previous year.

The tree trunk looked bleak in the wet, gloomy weather, and we couldn’t find any damselflies. The rain continued until right before David got there, and then it abruptly stopped, and the sun appeared. The next morning, we went back to film at the pool where the damselflies usually gather.

The scenery was lovely, but we hadn’t spotted any damselflies yet. We started filming while the sun was shining, and amazingly, one appeared about halfway through! It landed right next to the camera, perfectly positioning itself with David in the shot – a rare and highly sought-after moment for wildlife filmmakers, especially when filming insects.

A damselfly briefly touched the water and flew away, seeming to know exactly when to appear. David chuckled at how perfectly timed her arrival was and continued speaking smoothly, as if they’d practiced the moment beforehand.

Honestly, we all felt incredibly fortunate, but it was David’s talent that really made the scene unforgettable. It felt like something he was just born with, or maybe something he’d perfected over years – either way, it was amazing. And, fittingly, the rain started up again almost as soon as he wrapped and headed off to his next job.

Megan McCubbin, wildlife TV presenter and conservationist

Everyone remembers the dramatic chase: a baby iguana desperately running for its life across sharp volcanic rocks, with fast-moving racer snakes hot on its heels. It was a breathtaking scene, made even more captivating by David Attenborough’s iconic narration.

This clip from Planet Earth II is a personal favorite of mine, but it represents the culmination of decades of work that began in a vastly different filmmaking landscape. Back then, cameras were large and cumbersome, the locations were completely new territory, and a rising producer was beginning to revolutionize wildlife documentaries. Sir David Attenborough doesn’t just show us nature; he fosters a sense of wonder and connection for viewers around the world.

He’s profoundly impacted my life with a series of unforgettable experiences. He inspires us to appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the Earth, and to understand our responsibility to protect it, by fostering a deep love for the natural world.

Even after a century of work, his focus isn’t simply on what happened or what he filmed, but on how we see the world – and reminding us that it’s a remarkable place if we truly pay attention.

Happy birthday, Sir David! You’ve shown me the importance of truly observing and listening, and because of that, the world feels more vibrant and wonderful.

Jack Baddams, Springwatch ornithologist

I can’t emphasize enough how much David Attenborough’s The Life of Birds affected me. I was five years old when it first aired in 1998, but I already had a natural love for birds.

Before the internet and smartphones made it easy to see pictures of animals from anywhere in the world, David Attenborough was introducing me to birds I’d never seen before.

I still vividly remember many moments, like watching a kiwi search for food on the beach while Sir David Attenborough quietly observed it from just a few feet away. It was a truly remarkable sight.

I remember watching Sir David Attenborough as a kid and being completely captivated by a scene with a kiwi. Twenty-six years later, that moment still stuck with me, and I finally got to see one myself, deep in a New Zealand forest. Watching it move through the leaves, it hit me – I was actually living out that childhood dream, all thanks to Sir David’s incredible work!

Even today, many people enjoy watching The Life of Birds. A famous clip of Sir David Attenborough being playfully attacked by a large male capercaillie in Scotland remains popular online. Despite being bumped and chased by the turkey-sized bird, Attenborough remains professional and attempts to finish filming while tumbling through the heather.

A video of the superb lyrebird in the forests of southeastern Australia has become a huge online hit, racking up over 40 million views on YouTube. This bird is famous for its incredible ability to copy almost any sound and combine them into a remarkably complex and beautiful song.

Like so many people, I have amazing memories of watching Sir David Attenborough’s programs. For me, his work didn’t just entertain – it truly sparked a lifelong love for the natural world. I’ll always be grateful to him, not just for what he showed me, but for inspiring a generation to marvel at wildlife and care about our planet.

Authors

TopMob

2026-04-29 10:45